Humanity
Slumber Please!
My dad had a saying before taking a nap, he would say," Let me catch-up on that sleep I started last week." At 33 years old, I finally understand what he was saying. The lack of sleep can "make you" or "break you". It is a vital part of our existence as mammals. Being stuck in "fight or flight" mode has an unfortunate effects on your brain chemistry. However, our ancestor found a way to sleep, despite danger in their environment. We now have the privilege of sleep in a safe environment and we are still having trouble. Somebody invented the bed, mattress, pillows, and covers. There are all types of products on the market to aid us with sleep. Think of sleep as a mini vacation in a soft, warm, safe place. Sleep is just as important as a healthy diet, finance, shelter, success, and sex. If don't believe me, try having a conversation with someone who hasn't slept in twenty-four hours and let me know how it goes. The truth is, we need to make sleep a priority, just like we set goals for ourselves. I've had an on going battle with sleep for many years for varies reasons. Let's revisit the last fours years of my sleeping habits. In 2018, I fell upon hard times and was homeless living my car, working an overnight shift. What kind of car did I have? An 2003 Volkswagen beetle! That rights, imagine trying to "catch some shut-eye" in the smallest car ever made! Continue to 2019, My car broke down, I was still working overnight. So I had to find odd places to sleep in the daytime. Maybe the library in the corner or ride the longest bus route for two hours each way, while the summer heat in Florida was at its' hottest. Vulnerability to the elements of outside are a breeding ground for sleep deprivation. Next time you see a homeless person sleep on the street, think about the hardship of having the find a safe place to sleep. Sleeping while seating up cause my legs to swell drastically. Don't worry I have seen a doctor and my health is "A-ok". I stayed at shelter for two months, sharing a small room with five very loud ladies. Which gave me a safe place to sleep but it was far from peaceful. Next stop, 2020, I find an apartment to live in and still working overnight, then "boom" the pandemic hit. Thank god I found housing before the world shut down. Now forward to the end of 2021, I finally found my dream daytime job (yes, a 9 to 5). The "vampire work-life" was taking its toll on my health. Did you know, overnight workers are at a greater risk for health issues like, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. The combination of sleep deprivation, working overnight, and homelessness made my life a living hell. This year, 2022, the most important goal is to get better sleep! Therefore, I have come up with a ritual of self-help. The following step are my part of my sleep campaign for 2022:
By Deja Marie Falcon4 years ago in Confessions
Resolutions
Resolutions; They Must And Will Continue To Happen I will continue to take Alphabarker for runs. He is so eager for them. And in a way I am too. It doesn’t matter that I’m tired when I get home from work in the late afternoon. We live in the semi-countryside and the smells in the fields and perhaps even along the dirt roads are so entrancing to him. Watching his frenzy, I can almost forget the troubles in the world. And afterwards, sometimes, relaxing at home after a shower and food in my stomach, it’s as if the foliage and the colors and the sky all smile at me. I would say the crows do as well, except maybe that’s a stretch.
By Dan Gollub4 years ago in Confessions
The Wild Crafted Wife
”Even if it cannot be Day…it cannot Always be Night” 2022. It is a new year. I have been fundamentally changed in every way from the year past. My life has been ripped apart and put back together with half truths, darkness and a Grace that only seems to find me periodically.
By Jaclyn Z.4 years ago in Confessions
How I learned to enjoy reading
I don’t think we give enough if not any appreciation to the ability to be able to read, the title of this article actually sounds funny to myself, but this is a very important topic. If there is something which can be considered as one of the cornerstones of civilization and development of mankind, that will be communication. As opposed to other creatures out there who receive just the basic information from their parents and go on to discover the world by themselves, mankind has been able to carry itself to the top of the food chain by taking advantage of information, we are not only able to learn from our parents but even from other humans who have lived millions of years ago, we used this information and built up on it to evolve into something even greater.
By real Jema4 years ago in Confessions
The woman in jeans
It was a sunny, hot, and humid day, as any of Beirut’s other days during summer. Such weather combined with the effect of the sea air made Sammy feel hot and get frustrated and lonely like any other day. He admired the fancy Maserati - which stopped next to his car at the traffic light - and looked on the blond lady sitting in the Maserati with favor. He checked her out, memorized her features to fancy her for the rest of the day.
By Ayman Baroudi4 years ago in Confessions
I am Very Asian
Violence against Asian individuals is on the rise in America due to the coronavirus, and the prospect is terrifying. I am half Japanese, and constantly worry for my mother when she goes out. This worry grew worst when the 2021 Atlanta Spa Shootings took place, and when Captian Jay Baker said the shooter was having a “bad day.” I sat there with my mouth agape and in shock.
By Tiffany Wells4 years ago in Confessions
The Size of Your lips changed
Please let me go Caleb, you are not here, and I don't want you to be. Not white and not black. I want home to come get me, so I can heal in an environment where nothing you showed me exists, the bad feelings don't exist either. I have never felt more alone, and you only kick me around in these dark days, after you broke my brain. I don't know what is real and what is not real anymore, that is why I demand I go where I know it's real. Where I know an XL male shirt, doesn't fit someone with my build.
By I am me Amanda Nissen/Champion4 years ago in Confessions
The Mattress Jump
With a new year comes the set of promises that we all make and call resolutions. We resolve to do things like lose weight, eat right, read more, change jobs, find a loving relationship, or simply give up something. My own set of resolutions was very simple: get a new phone (done); exercise more (already on my way with jogging, yoga and other exercises); take a chance on relationships (Covid-19 has made this a very interesting challenge). But there was one other thing that I decided to do and have had planned in my mind for more than a year: a new bed.
By Kendall Defoe 4 years ago in Confessions
I Am Newly 45
I know when I was younger that I thought people in their 40’s and 50’s lacked style and were old. And now I sit in my high-waisted mom jeans (that are on-trend, by the way) and wonder if I am that old bag? I am the same age my mom was when she became a grandma to my son and then died 10 short years later.
By Melissa Steussy4 years ago in Confessions
The Romance of The Phone Box
Last week my Google Pixel 2XL sort of gave up the ghost, basically, it stopped charging. It could have been the connection port or the battery both of which meant I need a phone replacement. I could have gone for a reconditioned Google Pixel 3XL from Music Magpie but Argos could send one in an hour but it would be an Alba 6 which got good reviews on the net.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 4 years ago in Confessions
Following A Near-Death Experience, I've Spun My Life Around For The Better
What will you remember 2021 by? For me years 2o21 was a year of learning. It was a rollercoaster ride, without seatbelts. The first half of the year was defined by highs, extensive travels and new experiences. By mid-year, I was on top or so I thought. My life build up to the highest point of escalation that it was impossible to slow down. But the brakes gave away mid-flight and I fell. I started fading away, both mentally and physically: if continued, I was sure I would not survive.
By Oberon Von Phillipsdorf4 years ago in Confessions
